Westminster Magistrates’ Court rules in favour of Roger Giese’s extradition to the United States

Today, a District Judge sitting at Westminster Magistrates’ Court ruled that the extradition of Roger Alan Giese to the United States can go ahead. Giese, an American national accused of 19 serious charges of child sex offences, fled the United States after being arraigned on criminal charges to the United Kingdom in 2007 to escape prosecution. He is wanted for trial in Orange County in the State of California.

Today’s ruling constitutes an important decision after a legal battle spanning more than 7 years extradition. The High Court had previously blocked Mr. Giese’s extradition alleging that the U.S. legislation allowing civil commitment against dangerous and previously convicted sex offenders after the completion of their sentences constitutes a violation of their human rights.

Toby Cadman, Guernica37’s co-founder, acted for the Government of the United States.

Mr. Cadman noted that the Orange County District Attorney’s office had assured that a civil commitment order would not be sought against Mr. Giese, and consequently, that there could not be any doubt whatsoever that his extradition would be consistent with human rights standards.

The Court ruled in favour of extradition, thus allowing the US Courts to put Mr. Giese’s on trial for the crimes he allegedly committed.

For more detailed information, please access the following article by the BBC about the case:

US alleged paedophile Roger Giese set for extradition

An alleged paedophile who was on the FBI’s most wanted list can be extradited to the USA, a judge has ruled.

US national Roger Giese, 42, is wanted for trial in California, charged with sexually abusing a boy under the age of 14 between 1998 and 2002.

His counsel had argued conditions in US prisons and an extended custody threat meant he should not be sent back.

The Secretary of State will now make a final decision on the case.

District judge Margot Coleman said she had thought a “great deal” about the case before ruling against Mr Giese at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Giese emptied his bank account and fled to the UK on the eve of his trial in 2007, leaving his family behind.

He is wanted in Orange County after allegedly befriending the child when working as a voice coach for the All-American Boys Chorus in 1998.

As well as child sex offences, US Federal authorities also issued a warrant for Mr Giese’s arrest on a charge of “unlawful flight to avoid prosecution”.

The married former choirmaster was eventually traced to a Hampshire village where he was living under a different name, working for a PR company, and cohabiting with a woman who knew nothing of his true identity.

Since 2014, a series of extradition battles have been fought after the Home Office certified a request from the US.